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Insects and Spiders - Spiders

Spiders are expert hunters found in homes, gardens, and fields. Learn how to recognise common spider features, where they live, and the different webs they make.

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Fascinating Fact:

Wolf spiders are fast runners that usually hunt on the ground, and many carry their egg sac attached to the body.

In Specialist Nature, spiders are often identified by practical clues, such as their body shape, leg length, colour patterns, and the places they choose to hide. Spiders are arachnids, not insects, so they have eight legs and two main body parts. Many produce silk from spinnerets, which can be used for webs, safety lines, or wrapping prey, depending on the species. Noticing habitat, such as long grass, sheds, walls, or leaf litter, can help you narrow down what you have found.

Key Terms

Arachnid: A group of animals that includes spiders and scorpions, usually with eight legs.
Spinnerets: Small structures near the end of a spider’s body that produce silk.
Moult: When a spider sheds its old outer skin to grow a new, larger one.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How many legs does a spider have?

A spider has eight legs. This is one of the easiest ways to tell spiders from insects, which have six legs.

Do all spiders make webs?

Not all spiders make capture webs. Many species hunt by ambush or by chasing prey, but most spiders can still produce silk for uses such as safety lines or shelters.

Why do spiders come into houses?

Spiders may enter houses looking for shelter and food, especially where there are insects to catch. They often settle in quiet corners, behind furniture, or near windows and doors.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

Can you identify this spider?

Photograph courtesy of Sanchom

Hobo spider

Zebra spider

Domestic house spider

Huntsman spider

Order: Araneae
Family: Agelenidae
Genus: Tegenaria
Species: T. domestica
These are often seen in bathtubs or hurrying across the room.
Mainly seen in autumn during their mating season.
Can survive for several months without food or water.
A long-legged species.

2 .

Can you identify this spider?

Photograph courtesy of oio154

Cave spider

Zebra spider

Hobo spider

Water spider

Order: Araneae
Family: Tetragnathidae
Genus: Meta
Species: M. menardi
Their habitat is in dark places, such as cellars and tunnels.
One of the largest UK spiders.
The spiderlings are attracted to light unlike the adults which are repelled by light.

3 .

Can you identify this spider?

Photograph courtesy of Adam Opioła

Sydney funnel-web spider

Cave spider

Zebra spider

Water spider

Order: Araneae
Family: Salticidae
Genus: Salticus
Species: S. scenicus
A jumping spider that catches prey by leaping on it.
Despite being only a few millimetres long, they are capable of leaps up to 100 mm!
This species is unusual in that they appear to be aware of humans.

4 .

Can you identify this spider?

Photograph courtesy of JonRichfield

Huntsman spider

Sydney funnel-web spider

Great raft spider

European garden spider

Order: Araneae
Section: Entelegynae
Superfamily: Sparassoidea
Family: Sparassidae
Found in almost all tropical regions of the world.
A huge spider which can measure 15 cm from leg to leg!
They do not build webs and catch their prey with speed.
Generally not harmful to humans but will bite if provoked.

5 .

Can you identify this spider?

Photograph courtesy of Alvesgaspar

European garden spider

Giant house spider

Dewdrop spider

Skeleton tarantula

Order: Araneae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Araneus
Species: A. diadematus
Can be spotted mainly in the later months of September and October.
Female tends to be upside-down in the centre of her circular web.
They eat their webs at night and build a new one in the morning.

6 .

Can you identify this spider?

Photograph courtesy of Alvesgaspar

Great raft spider

False widow

European garden spider

Sydney funnel-web spider

Order: Araneae
Family: Theridiidae
Genus: Steatoda
Species: S. nobilis
Normally located indoors or in outhouses.
The web is rather untidy and irregular.
First recorded in the UK back in 1879 and has been here ever since.

7 .

Can you identify this spider?

Photograph courtesy of GreyStork

Skeleton tarantula

Mexican red-knee tarantula

Giant house spider

Biting spider

Order: Araneae
Family: Agelenidae
Genus: Tegenaria
Species: T. duellica
Females grow up to 18 mm in length. The leg span of the male can reach 75 mm!
This species is able to bite right through human skin.
Legs and stomach are hairy enough to notice.

8 .

Can you identify this spider?

Photograph courtesy of Baupi

Water spider

Dewdrop spider

Hobo spider

Cave spider

Order: Araneae
Family: Cybaeidae
Genus: Argyroneta
Species: A. aquatica
Also called the diving bell spider.
A good swimmer that builds its web under water.
The male is larger than the female.
These spiders are eaten by frogs and fish.

9 .

Can you identify this spider?

Photograph courtesy of Jurgen E Haug

Domestic house spider

Huntsman spider

Wasp spider

Mexican red-knee tarantula

Order: Araneae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Brachypelma
Species: B. smithi
One of the most popular spider pets.
The species has been used in films as a frightener.
Females can live up to 30 years - unusual in a spider.
It is calm and gentle-natured, despite its appearance.

10 .

Can you identify this spider?

Photograph courtesy of Boing! said Zebedee

Biting spider

Zebra spider

Common house spider

Skeleton tarantula

Order: Araneae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Ephebopus
Species: E. murinus
A South American spider found on tropical forest floors.
An aggressive spider who will not hesitate to show an attacking pose if threatened.
It eats insects, worms and small mammals.